Best places to stay in the Selous | Where to stay in the Selous

Best Places To Stay On Safari In The Selous Game Reserve

The draw of the Selous is its really wild natural atmosphere, beautiful, varied landscapes and capacity for a more adventurous safari experience with boating, walking and fishing available. Alike with Ruaha, this Southern Park in Tanzania offers a very intimate safari experience for less cost than the Serengeti. The famous Serengeti attracts far more visitors leaving Selous a quieter and more authentic safari experience.

The same size as Switzerland, Selous is vast, making the game harder to find. You won't tick off the 'Big 5' in an hour like you could in the Ngorongoro Crater, but the sightings and encounters are far more rewarding and normally kept all between a couple of vehicles. It is one of the last remaining strongholds for the highly endangered African wild dog with a population estimated to be about four and a half thousand individuals in the park. As well as wild dogs, Selous is home to a great number of elephants, buffalo, lions and over four hundred and fifty different bird species have been recorded there.

Accommodation options in the Selous Tend to be located very near to a permanent water source, be that on the banks of the Rufiji River or on the edge of one of the beautiful lakes that are dotted throughout the park. The immediate proximity to the water sources makes activities such as boating safaris and fishing very accessible. Inside the lodges, you will find a variety of camp styles, some being simple safari with a rustic edge, whereas some have luxury that is beyond your wildest dreams that would rival any safari camp in Tanzania, or even Africa! It is therefore imperative to decide what style would suit you before deciding on what accommodation you choose. The prices will of course differ depending on the amount of luxury you go for, but there are some excellent value lodges with special deals that can be combined with some lodges in Ruaha, making the perfect Southern itinerary.

There are plenty of places to stay in the Selous National Park and below we have handpicked a few of our favourites:

Beho Beho

Our View

Beho Beho has been blessed with one of the most sublime views in the Selous game reserve. It provides its guests with every luxury and more, whilst over looking a huge area of true wilderness. The lodge consists of 9 stone bandas (the panoramic view comes free) that are not left wanting in terms of providing their guests with every comfort possible. The food, guiding and service are all of the very highest standard.

Siwandu

Our View

Siwandu reigns supreme in our opinion. It has a fantastic location, great guides and gorgeous tents offering every luxury in a truly authentic style. Discreetly tucked amongst the palm trees on the banks of Lake Nzerakera, it has everything you could want in a safari holiday and is definitely our number one tented camp in the Selous.

Roho ya Selous

Our View

Roho ya Selous is one of the best camps in Nyerere National Park (formerly known as The Selous). In an amazing location overlooking the Nzerakera channel, this boutique, luxury tented Camp boasts excellent game viewing and exceptional guiding.Great as a stand-alone trip or easily combined with one of Asilia's beautiful Ruaha Camps, Usangu or Jabali Ridge.

Sand Rivers Selous

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Sand Rivers is an adventurous barefoot luxury lodge in a beautiful, game rich area of Nyerere Nationa Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). This is one of our favourite camps in the whole of Tanzania and is a top, top property. It’s great for those seeking adventure in the wilderness, with lots of walking safari opportunities, excellent fly camping and boating up to Steiglers Gorge. One of the oldest lodges built back in the 80s by Richard Bonham it is arguably one of the best river spots on the Rufiji River.

Selous Serena Camp

The Camp is Currently Closed
The Victorian style rooms here offer a luxury tented safari experience at unbelievable value. Being owned by a bigger brand has really worked in this camps favour – allowing them to offer exceptional service, luxury and brilliant safari at a price usually associated with much lesser camps.

Azura Selous

Azura Selous is currently closed.
Previously known as Amara Selous, Azura Selous has become a transformed lodge under the luxury brand Azura. Located on the western part of the Selous, and despite not being famous for its game viewing as it was a hunting block until 2005, it has increased in abundance since and has also become renowed for photography. When visiting the lodge we certainly felt the accommodation was of a high standard, with the bonus of air conditioning (one of the only camps with this in Selous) and the rooms being constructed with both canvas and stone look out onto the Ruaha River.

Lake Manze Tented Camp

Our View

Lake Manze is a genuinely fantastic yet simple safari camp. It has a prime position on the edge of a beautiful lake and is within shouting distance of pods of bathing hippo. No electricity in the lodge gives it a rustic edge, yet its comfort and charm give it an old world gravitas that other camps can’t touch. The camp is not about five star luxury, but in terms of safari and value for money, it's hard to beat.

Maji Moto

This camp is currently closed.
The totally private sister camp to Kilimatonge in Ruaha, Maji Moto Selous is a truly mobile camp in the heart of the Selous Wilderness, perfect for safari-goers seeking a wild and traditional experience.

Mivumo River Lodge

Our View

With a sincere feeling of an owner run Lodge, this is a little gem nestled on the Rufiji River bank. Although run by the larger Serena Hotel Chain, they have been very careful to maintain its charm and authenticity whilst also introducing the extra touches of luxury and great service that they are known for.

Selous Impala Camp

Our View

Impala Selous is placed right on the banks of the Rufiji River, in an incredible position for spotting the local inhabitants. It’s not nearly as expensive as its extremely luxurious competitors but very close in terms of service. The raised tents offer every comfort, with two of them being adjoining ‘family’ tents. A very friendly camp, great for children and offering the best of Nyerere National Park.

Rufiji River Camp

Our View

The Rufiji River Camp is at the lower end of the price range for camps in the Selous. In our view, if you’re looking at keeping costs down, you are better off going to Lake Manze Tented Camp for a very small up-cost and guaranteeing a much better game experience.

Selous Riverside

Our View

Selous Riverside Safari Camp is one of many camps located outside the reserve and is regarded as one of the better. However, the camp is still not ideally located as it is a 15-20 minute drive, through a village to the reserve entrance. The lodge itself is located on bank of Rufiji River but unfortunately looks over the river to fields rather than bush. We would always recommend staying inside the park to make the most of the instant access to the best game viewing areas and a true safari experience.